We're in Dallas, Texas today and the setup today is weird. At the Dallas arena, the venue sells all your merch. So, my Dad and I didn’t have as much to do as usual... and boy, did we need the free time! Our day started bright and early with an interview with local Christian radio station KLTY! We taped a show called the “New Music Café.” The DJ made things a lot of fun, and I got to play “You Hold Me Now” on my guitar... live! Now, you have to understand that my strong suit is singing and my guitar skills are... well, they're still a work in progress! LOL. I mean, I can play... I'm just not really used to accompanying myself. So, it was a really exciting challenge to be playing for a live radio interview! But it all worked and afterward we got to have lunch with Mike, the radio director at KLTY. We went to a deli restaurant called “Bakers Brothers” and they had some amazing sandwiches! It was nice to meet Mike and learn all about his role with the station. Unfortunately, all though we were in Pappasitos country, we couldn’t stop at one for a bite to eat. My dad and I were distraught! We were almost to the point of tears... seriously. (If you are clueless about what I'm talking about, please see my blog on Atlanta, Georgia. You'll understand everything then!) We actually had to drive RIGHT BY ONE, but there wasn’t enough time to go in and eat! I'm crushed. (Oh well, we are just going to have to get over it with some good bus food.) After that we had a bit of a break before going to yet another KLTY interview... this one to promote Winter Jam. Let me tell ya, this radio station was on top of covering the event. They have been so generous to me today by allowing me this much time on the air. Thanks KLTY!  read more

OOOOOOOOOOOklahoma, where the … something something something… Sadly, I don’t know the rest of the words. ( however, if you really need to know, I know that Dave from Sidewalk Prophets does!) Today was a good day because I got to hang out with an old friend of mine, Andy Chrisman.  Now, I’m sure that you all remember that Andy used to be the lead singer for 4Him.  What an amazing career he's had. After 4Him, he did a solo project called, One. That CD was some of the first Christian music I ever listened to!  I love that CD! Now, he's the worship leader for a massive church right here in Tulsa called Church on the Move. He's an old friend of my dad's, so when he heard we were in town with Winter Jam, he headed over to hang out backstage with us.  We were anxious to introduce him around to everybody... but I found out that wasn't really necessary!  It was so funny to see how many people Andy knew, and knew well! Eddie Carswell and Russ Lee form Newsong gave him big hugs, Third Day said hi, and we had a long conversation with Michael Tait. I guess I wasn't really thinking about the fact that he's a pretty big name in Christian music!  Here’s a funny story, when DC Talk came out with one of their first demos, they gave it to some of the 4Him guys. They said that they really liked the music, but all the 4Him guys said, “Who’s gonna buy Christian Rap?” LOL.  Now, many platinum records later, we all had a good laugh at that.  read more

I woke up today to a beautiful, sunny 70 degree day here in Nashville, Tennessee.  (If only every city could be so welcoming here on Winter Jam!)  The Sommet center is a relatively new arena and it's one of the best we've been in. It can hold a lot of people, it's clean, it looks freshly painted... all the things I am NOW trained to look for in an arena! LOL.  In light of the hectic day I knew was ahead, I am so grateful that we started off with Jam Church.  By 10:30 a bunch of us were crammed in a little room ready to go!  This morning, the Sidewalk Prophets lead worship.  Man... they did a great job.  Dave has such a nice voice, but more importantly, he has a beautiful heart for the Lord and it definitely showed during worship this morning. He sang a few hymns, some modern worship songs, and even a song he had written.  The speaker for Jam Church this morning was Third Day’s tour Pastor, Nigel.  His message was a real encouragement to keep working hard to honor and glorify Christ, just like a soldier does for his commander, despite the hardships and struggles.  It was a great way to start a crazy day.  read more